Morin already understood what the Ancient One meant.
She could see the future.
She saw Morin's arrival and chose to let him handle this matter.
Morin didn't feel used.
This arrangement also benefited his own plans.
It was mutual.
The U.S. didn't have a specific role called "traffic police."
Instead, officers managed traffic while still retaining arrest authority.
Which meant arresting a demon fell within Morin's job scope.
Asking for a "tip" before letting someone go?
An unofficial fee?
Perfectly reasonable.
This was a golden opportunity to fleece Mephisto.
"Also... can I really not learn magic?" Duke asked one last time, his voice full of expectation.
"You need to understand something," Morin said, shaking his head.
"Some things don't become possible just because you want them to."
"You have no affinity for magic. Trying to learn it would be a waste. If you could, the Ancient One wouldn't have minded letting you study at Kamar-Taj."
"But I can give you something else-wait."
"What's wrong?" Duke stiffened.
"Someone's here."
Morin waved his hand.
Instantly, everyone in the bar lost control of their bodies.
An overwhelming urge rose in them-to go home, to leave, to do literally anything else.
Within seconds, the previously crowded bar was empty.
Only Morin and Duke remained.
"To be precise," Morin continued calmly,
"A demon has arrived."
A white-haired old man with a receding hairline walked in.
He ignored the people who had fled.
His gaze was fixed on the two men at the bar.
One had made him lose face.
The other reminded him of that humiliation.
The old man walked to the liquor cabinet, selected a bottle of red wine, and poured himself a drink.
Every movement was slow.
Meticulous.
Refined.
A noble through and through.
Morin ignored him completely.
Duke wanted to speak, but Morin sent a telepathic warning.
Ignore him.
Duke complied.
When in doubt, listen to the boss.
Silence filled the bar.
Morin and Duke drank their wine.
Mephisto didn't exist.
Morin spoke to Duke telepathically, so there was no need to break the quiet.
Mephisto finished his flawless performance.
Still nothing.
The Lord of Hell didn't show embarrassment.
But being ignored after showing off was still a loss of face.
Mephisto was irritated.
"Ahem..."
He cleared his throat and took the initiative.
"Duke. You're quite impressive."
He was here to find out who had lifted Duke's curse.
His agreement with the Ancient One prevented her from actively helping Duke.
Mephisto had been certain Duke would never break it.
All sorcerers on Earth were under her authority.
If she was restricted, who else could help?
That certainty was why he had agreed to the contract.
He had unilaterally torn up Duke's trick contract.
Of course he had.
What else was he supposed to do?
Put the Spirit of Vengeance in a pig?
Create a Ghost Pig?
The Spirit would revolt.
And Mephisto would lose face.
A mortal outsmarting him-with no retaliation?
Unacceptable.
If he couldn't erase the problem, he would confine it.
But now-
The curse was gone.
The contract showed no violation.
An outsider had intervened.
Impossible.
And dangerous.
If this spread, it would be troublesome.
That was why Mephisto came personally.
Having failed to seize control of the conversation, he started with praise.
Duke said nothing.
So this is how all big bosses compliment people?
"Mephisto?"
Morin finally spoke.
Since Mephisto broke the silence first, Morin had the advantage.
He looked at him with interest.
"How dare you!"
Mephisto slammed his cane down.
The floor shattered.
A shard shot toward Morin like a bullet.
"Lashing out isn't a good idea," Morin said calmly.
He didn't move.
A piece of the shattered tile appeared in his hand.
"Especially not in your current state."
"You..." Mephisto frowned.
"You're not human?"
He hadn't seen Morin move.
No magic.
Pure physical action.
"What's with the insults?" Morin widened his eyes.
"You're the one who isn't human."
"Of course I'm not!"
"...You're right."
Morin took a breath.
No comeback there.
"Why did you break his curse?" Mephisto asked directly.
"I felt like it," Morin leaned back.
"What about it?"
"Then you are my enemy!" Mephisto's form twisted, revealing something monstrous.
"Your reach doesn't extend to Earth. I'm not going to Hell," Morin replied calmly.
"And if I ever do, I'll be strong enough to beat you."
"So let's stop pretending."
"Let's talk about how to solve this."
"Unless you want certain news to spread."
Mephisto froze.
Morin didn't fear him.
Between the Ancient One's contract and his own power, Mephisto couldn't touch him.
More importantly-
Mephisto was in a hurry.
Morin and Duke weren't bound by any contract.
They could spread the story of Mephisto being tricked by a mortal.
Face wasn't everything.
But it mattered.
If other Hell-Lords heard-
If his subordinates heard-
His reputation would collapse.
Mephisto was known for cunning, not raw power.
A cunning Hell-Lord fooled by a human?
Neutral demons would defect.
Followers would doubt.
Revolt was possible.
Morin understood all of this.
That was his leverage.
"...What do you want?" Mephisto asked at last.
Internally, he cursed the Ancient One.
Two failures.
Both his.
He was starting to fear contracts.
At that very moment, his true body in Hell stared at the contract with the Ancient One.
Something was wrong.
But he couldn't see what.
"Well," Morin said, placing an ID card on the bar,
"My name is Morin."
"I'm a police officer. Traffic management."
"You can call me a traffic cop."
"That part isn't important."
"Even a traffic cop has authority over certain illegal activities."
"...So?" Mephisto frowned.
"So," Morin continued,
"As a traffic cop, discovering that a citizen was illegally cursed for decades obligates me to penalize the perpetrator."
"There are no laws covering supernatural crimes yet, so I'll invoke Article 4396."
"It allows the discovering officer to determine penalties and fines."
"...Is that a real law?" Duke whispered.
"No," Morin replied evenly.
"I just made it up."
"Enough!" Mephisto slammed the table.
"You're mocking me!"
"Since when does a traffic cop handle this?"
"No," Morin smiled.
"I'm speaking to you as a traffic cop."
"Representing the seriousness and impartiality of the law."
"Believe me."
"I'm very serious."
"What do you want?" Mephisto asked slowly.
"Money? Treasures? Power?"
"I can give you anything-if you dare take it."
Morin extended his hand.
"I want everything."
"Very well," Mephisto smiled.
"Then let's sign a contract."
A parchment scroll appeared.
Terms filled it instantly.
"Read it first."
"Don't say I'm unfair."
"Be careful!" Duke warned.
"Don't grab it-he's probably-"
Morin took it.
Faster than Duke could finish.
Mephisto's heart surged with joy.
Hidden thorns.
Blood.
Victory.
Then-
"Are these terms a joke?" Morin asked coldly.
He looked up.
"This is why you're hard to deal with, Mephisto."
"...If you're not satisfied, we can renegotiate," Mephisto said, reaching for the scroll.
Morin pulled it away.
"Not so fast."
"I found something interesting."
"Want to see?"
Mephisto pulled his hand back.
"What?"
Morin ran his fingers along the scroll.
Sparks burst out.
Metal scraped metal.
The thorns were exposed.
Mephisto's eyes widened.
"Thoughtful design," Morin said mockingly.
"Were these for lighting it up?"
"You said you were human!" Mephisto snapped.
"I am," Morin replied calmly.
"Just stronger than most."
He rubbed the scroll again.
Every thorn vanished.
The surface was smooth.
He held up two fingers.
A tiny gap between them.
"Right, Duke?"
Duke stared.
Speechless.
He only had one thought.
I see a galaxy in your fingers.
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